In 2015, the city created a working group to examine water quality in False Creek, where E. coli levels have soared in recent years, reaching twice the Health Canada guideline for kayaking and 10 times the acceptable level for swimming. This week’s staff report says the group’s findings, based on data from the past 20 years, suggest “a primary contributor to E. coli contamination in False Creek is sewage dumping from marinas and recreational vessels (e.g. liveaboards not connected to the sewer system, fishing boats, pleasure crafts).”

A survey conducted earlier this year found many liveaboards and other boaters in False Creek aren’t using the free pump-out services introduced in 2015 at the civic marinas and simply dumping waste into the water, said Jennifer Mayberry, Vancouver’s manager of environmental services, who will deliver the report Tuesday at Vancouver city hall.

Mayberry’s report recommends council approve a pilot project for this summer for “mobile sewage pump-out services,” and enhance enforcement of sewage management regulations. Costs are estimated to be $75,000.

Mayberry emphasized the city is trying to ensure health and safety for everyone in and around False Creek, not attempting a “crackdown on liveaboards.”

“It’s really an issue of proper sewage management,” she said. “I don’t care if you live on your boat, I just think you should have to manage your sewage properly.”

Alyssa Fleishman pulls the anchor on her boat in False Creek in Vancouver, B.C., May 1, 2017.Arlen Redekop /
PNG

Of course, for people living aboard boats in False Creek or elsewhere along the B.C. coast, this is not a new phenomenon. But it remains an open question exactly how much Vancouver’s acute housing woes are causing residents to seek different kinds of shelter beyond conventional “housing” options.

This year marked the first time Metro Vancouver included liveaboards in their annual count of the region’s homeless population. Mayberry said the City of Vancouver has asked Metro to “dig a bit deeper” into the connection between housing affordability and people making their homes on the water.

The number of liveaboards in this year’s homeless count won’t be available until the final report is released in late summer, said Metro Vancouver spokesman Greg Valou, adding that the report may provide more insight into how the nature of homelessness is changing in the region, whether people are living full-time in boats, cars, or other options.

Matt Thomson, the research manager for the 2017 Homeless Count in Metro Vancouver, said liveaboards had the option of “self-selecting” out of the survey, “because in some areas, liveaboards are choosing to live on their boats, and may be fully employed and not require any support services.”

Shawn Wilson, who lives on his wooden cabin cruiser in False Creek, agreed there’s a link between Vancouver’s unaffordability and the number of people living on boats. Wilson lived in a Kitsilano apartment until five years ago, when the ever-rising cost of living prompted him to move out and live full-time on his sailboat. He said it’s a diverse community living on False Creek, including grad students, tradespeople, office workers, and at least one family raising young children.

Wilson, who has a Métis background and grew up boating in Powell River, now lives on the creek with his partner and his dog, and works repairing boats. He believes most people in the “marine community” dispose of their sewage responsibly, adding: “most of us are very environmentally conscious … We try to keep the smallest footprint we can.”

Wilson said it seems like the Vancouver Police Department has recently increased ticketing of boats violating anchoring laws and staying in False Creek without permits. The VPD was not able to immediately answer questions about enforcement or provide stats on the number of tickets issued in recent years.

“They could let us have a little spot somewhere,” Wilson said. “As long as the boats are seaworthy and as long as we’re able seamen and responsible. We’re part of the city, we’re part of the community, and I believe it adds character to the city.”

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